Five honoured with Queen's Jubilee Medal

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(BROCK TWP.) There was a packed house at the Brock municipal office Monday night (Feb. 11) as the Township honoured some community leaders.
Council presented four local business owners -- Chuck Gillespie, Tom Mangan, George Judd and George Pilgrim -- and volunteer Jack Little with the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Medal at a special reception Monday (Feb. 11) night at the municipal office in Cannington.
Established to commemorate the 60th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II’s accession to the throne, the medal celebrates significant achievements and extraordinary contributions Canadians have made for the benefit of their fellow citizens.
Mayor Terry Clayton said that council decided to bestow the Diamond Jubilee Medal on a number of local business owners to recognize their dedicated support of community initiatives over the years.
Mr Little was the lone exception to that rule for his numerous volunteer efforts, which have garnered the Beaverton resident the Harold Lodwick Citizenship Award as well as a Queen's Golden Jubilee Medal in the past through his work with a number of local groups, including the Lions Club.
"These people exemplify the best of Brock Township," said Regional Councillor Debbie Bath.
Gillespie's Hardware has been a staple in downtown Beaverton for nearly 50 years and Mr. Gillespie got his start in the family business at the age of 15.
He's also a volunteer firefighter, a member of the local Lions Club, curling club and Chamber of Commerce, and has helped organize the village's Santa Claus parade for more than three decades.
Mangan's Funeral Home has been in operation for more than three decades. Mr. Mangan's community involvement includes positions with the Beaverton District Conservation Club, minor hockey and the Beaverton Fair board.
He also served as Ward 1 councillor for 10 years and is a longtime leader with the Beaverton Chamber of Commerce.
A longtime resident of Cannington, George Judd has run the hardware store on the main street for 26 years.
Over the years, he's worked with other business owners in the village on a variety of projects to improve and market downtown Cannington and has sponsored a range of community events.
As the owner of Sunderland Home Hardware and Home Furniture on River Street, Mr. Pilgrim has strong roots in the Sunderland community.
He's had a starring role in national Home Hardware commercials and has been a longtime supporter any number of community projects in addition to his efforts as a volunteer firefighter.
Unable to attend the reception Monday night, Ben Smith, owner of Ben's Pharmacy in Beaverton and Cannington, and Rick Flindall of Flindall's Freshmart in Sunderland received Queen's Diamond Jubilee Medals at recent township council meetings.

Scott Howard is editor of the Brock Citizen. He can be reached via email at showard@mykawartha.com